jeeper31

I have finally gotten all the bearings, spacers, seals... out and have a few questions.

First. The inner bearing spacer has grooves etched in it aroud the outside. Is this ok or should I replace the spacer?

Second. Is there another seal (not o-ring) between the outer beearing spacer and the hub. When I oredered parts the guy catalog (and person) said 2 per side however, there doesn't look like there is another in the picture on this thread. This Thread

Here is a picture of the bearing spacer.

jeeper31

Here's another.


Thanks in advance.

jeeper31

Anybody?

jeeper31

Bump

Charlotte944

Replace all four spacers (2 per side). If you do not replace those spacers you will be replacing the rear bearings and seals fairly soon. The spacers provide a sealing surface and prevent water intrusion into the bearings.

There are three "seals" per axel; 2 "normal" seals for the inner and outer bearings, and a thin O-Ring seal for the outer bearing cover.

jeeper31

other spacers are expensive and look ok. Is the scoring on the inner one mormak. That part as about 12 dollars however, i am anxious to get the car back on the road.

C5Driver951

As Cliff said, replace the spacers. Do it once and do it right, or you will regret it.

jeeper31

Just wondering if that spacer is supposed to have grooves?

SoCal Driver

Sure the inner and outer spacers can have grooves! Just make sure your new seals don't line up with them.

The inner spacers have a large inner chamfer. This has to go against the flange that the CV mounts to.

The outer spacers have a chamfer on the outside. This goes against the roller bearing inner race.

The center spacer does not have to be replaced.

Luis de Prat

SoCal, I read in another thread that you recently did front wheel bearings on your 83. How hard is it getting the calipers off? My rears were on so tight I put off replacing the E-brake shoes for now. I'm sure Dan will be doing his fronts soon also, so it's not entirely a hijack.

SoCal Driver

The backing plate for the parking brakes holds the outer seal. The o-ring goes over the machined end of the trailing arm before this plate goes back on.

SoCal Driver

I've had very little to no poblems expanding the disk pads using a very large screw driver. I could never figure out why Snap-On or even Sears includes such large screw drivers in their sets. Now I know.

Once the pads are expanded the two bolts that hold the calipers on have proven to be snug. I've not run into one that could resist the 1/2" breaker bar and six point impact socket. More trouble getting me Manly Girth at a good angle for the leverage.

I use wire coat hangers to support the calipers rather than remove them from the hydraulic lines.

jeeper31

SoCal. judging form the picture should I replace the inner spacer? The outer one looks good, no scoring so I don't think it needs to be replaced.... unless you say so.

What is the best way to see if the seals line up wioth the grooves? Installing it or placing it all over the stub axle?

I got all the chamfers strainght thanks to you on a previous thread.

jeeper31

This might be a stretch and I am thinking the answer is probably no but... could those grooves be the reason for the thumping i hear?

SoCal Driver

What I was implying was that there is no way to be positive the replacement seals don't line up with the grooves. Replace any spacer that has grooves from the seals.

Let me make another observation; since you picture what you say is the inner spacer and it has two grooves from the seal I'm wondering if that is an inner spacer and if it has been reversed when reinstalled during the last bearing access. Could have been and if it was then this could cause real problems with a rear axle assembly.

Take a look at the inside diameter. One side should have a large chamfer on the inside. Really large chamfer. If not then it's not an inner spacer; it's an outer spacer.